Manny Pacquiao is weeks away from making a sensational return to the ring.
The 46-year-old Filipino great will lock horns with reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s last outing came in June of 2021 when he fell short against former WBA world welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, before going on to announce his retirement shortly after to focus on his political career.
He did make brief returns to the ring in 2022 and 2024 however, facing mixed martial artists DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo in exhibition contests.
Speaking on The PorterWay Podcast, former welterweight champion Shawn Porter shared his thoughts on Pacquiao’s impending ring return.
“I think Manny has to come out very strong, very fast in the first couple of rounds because his gas tank ain’t what it used to be, at 46-years-old you come out and let’s just say hypothetically your gas is half full at 46-years-old, I’d rather use that half tank in two or three rounds and really get off on this kid because he has the kind of style, styles make fights, he’s got the perfect style for Manny to do what he do.”
Porter was then asked if he believes Pacquiao will get the job done against ‘El Azteca’ next month.
“Yes.
It’s really hard to see Manny Pacquiao losing to Mario Barrios because of who they are, but who they are now, you know.”
Pacquiao will become the oldest welterweight champion of all time should he be victorious over Barrios, breaking the record he actually set himself back in 2019 when he dethroned WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman.
